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NBA Draft 2016: Ranking The Top 10 Point Guards

By Jake Fielder

Mar 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Providence Friars guard Kris Dunn (3) shoots the ball over USC Trojans forward Bennie Boatwright (25) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Providence Friars guard Kris Dunn (3) shoots the ball over USC Trojans forward Bennie Boatwright (25) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 13, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Demetrius Jackson (11) celebrates after a three point basket in the second half against the Louisville Cardinals at the Purcell Pavilion. Notre Dame won 71-66. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Demetrius Jackson (11) celebrates after a three point basket in the second half against the Louisville Cardinals at the Purcell Pavilion. Notre Dame won 71-66. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Demetrius Jackson is interesting because I feel like he flew under a lot of people’s radars due to the stellar play of former teammate Jerian Grant. It wasn’t until I really dug into his tape that I realized what a strong player he was within his own right.

While Jackson isn’t quite the physical specimen the three players ahead of him are, Jackson has an amazing wingspan and feel for the game that should allow him to have a very strong professional career.

Jackson has incredibly impressive court vision. In terms of the class as a whole, I peg him as only slightly below Dunn in that aspect. The aforementioned vision is instrumental in his uncanny ability to differentiate between when Jackson needs to attack on offense and when to distribute to other players.

This ability to balance his own looks with keeping his teammates involved is a next-level point guard trait (perhaps most cleanly typified by Mike Conley), and one that teams will definitely value. Also, despite his smaller stature (he’s only 6’1”), he’s extremely good at finishing around the rim. This makes him a devastating pick and roll asset, as he is equally competent scoring or passing.

Notre Dame used this to great effect in their pro-style offense.

While Jackson is a proficient passer, he does sometimes struggle with setting up his teammates. Obviously (as we mentioned), he can cook in the pick and roll but isn’t anything particularly special in more advanced ball movement sets. Jackson is a solid on-ball defender, capable of both bodying up with bigger guards and also picking the pocket of loose dribblers.

He’s not stellar off-ball, often getting caught watching when he is away from the play, but it looks like something that good defensive coaching can shore up.

Overall, he’s definitely a starting-caliber point guard and should warrant some mid-to-late first consideration. His projections are all over the board but there will always be value for a guy with his particular skill set and coachability.

Next: No. 3